1. February 28, 2012
Introduction: Comparison/Contrast Essay
ESL 015: Composition for American Academic Communication II

2. Learning Objectives/ Outline
• Discuss Critique Essay
– Questions?
• Introduction – Comparison/Contrast Essay
• Activity
• Form groups/ brainstorm topics

3. Critique Essay
• Any Questions about feedback?
• 3-4 typed pages
• YOUR Ideas/Experiences
• Citation (add in-text citation)

4. Introduction: Comparison/Contrast
• In this essay, you will compare and contrast at
least two articles. Both articles must be
scholarly articles on the same topic. Your goal
in this assignment is to synthesize, or “put
together,” these sources in order to make a
point of your own. Page requirement: (3-4
pages, 12-point Times New Roman
font, double-spaced).

5. What is the difference between
‘compare’ and ‘contrast’
• Compare: To examine people/ things to see
how they are similar and how they are
different.
– e.g. to compare governments of two nations.
• Contrast: To compare two people/things in
order to show the differences between them.
– e.g. to contrast living conditions in peace and in
war.

6. Activity
• Two teams…
• In your team –
– Compare and contrast the two ‘items’
– Brainstorm and discuss as many similarities and
differences as you can.
• Then – taking turns, we’ll see which team can
point out the most/best similarities and
differences.

7. Compare/Contrast BEARS

8. Compare/Contrast MOUNTAINS

9. Compare/Contrast BOATS

10. Compare/Contrast VIEW OF BAY

11. Evaluation of Internet Sources
(as seen on page 135 in In Focus)
• Is the information up-to-date? Check the date when
the material first appeared and when it was last
updated.
• Does the author have credibility? Check the author’s
professional and academic qualifications.
• Is the site well known and respected? Check the
reputation of the organization.
• Does the author have a bias? Check the objectivity of
the writer’s point of view.
• Can you trust the facts and statistics? Check the
accuracy of the content by examining other sources to
verify the information.

12. Writing a C/C Essay
• Do what we just did with the two pictures, but
using two or more scholarly articles.
• Discuss assignment sheet
• Two outline/ structural formats
– Pages-133-134 of In Focus

13. Groups/ Topic Selection
• Form groups of 3-4 people
• Brainstorm topics for essays

14. Homework:
• Reminder – Final Draft of Critique Essay is due
Tuesday, March 15th by midnight. Submit on
turnitin.com
• Have at least one or two topics picked out
that you can research and find articles for…